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The Omani retail sector has grown by 7% since 2011 and continues to expand, as large construction projects, predominantly malls and hypermarkets, look set to add more retail space to the sector. The rise in the number of shopping malls, currently numbering 16 in Muscat alone, has coincided with a shift in spending patterns as the population becomes wealthier, while an increasing number of high-net-worth individuals has led to the growth of luxury and fashion brands and the emergence of niche market concepts, such as smaller-scale, high-end retail centres. Although spending patterns have been shifting as lifestyles change, the Omani consumer price index shows that a large portion of household spending still goes towards food and related products, a trend reflected in the steady growth of hypermarkets, which now account for 70% of grocery sales. This chapter contains an interview with Dominic Myers, CEO, Enhance Operating Companies.

Oman continues to capitalise on its geographical position, increasingly establishing itself as a major trans-shipment centre for traffic between Europe, Africa and Asia with ongoing development and expansion plans at various ports in the sultanate, particularly at Duqm where a new port and dry-dock are being developed. Coordinating this maritime-based growth with land and air-side growth is also under way, with the 2011-15 five-year development plan earmarking $15.5bn for the national rail project; $6.2bn for airport expansion; and $3.1bn for road network development. Plans to connect the national railway project with the GCC-wide rail network will boost integration in the region, while airport and road expansions will solidify Oman’s growing reputation as a logistics hub and encourage the sultanate’s growing tourism sector. This chapter contains interviews with Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Salim al Futaisi, Minister for Transport & Communications; and Paul Gregorowitsch, CEO, Oman Air.

The sultanate of Oman is divided into 11 governorates, and as the country pushes ahead with economic diversification goals various regions are being rapidly developed. Duqm Port’s handling capabilities are to be expanded, with plans for an additional 10 km of commercial berths, while at Salalah International Airport a new terminal capable of handling 1m passengers per year is now coming on stream with plans for expansion to 6m passengers per year in the future. Four free trade zones, including ones at Salalah and Duqm in Al Wusta, are currently up and running in the sultanate, and these have had a big impact on Oman’s regions with Duqm’s population, for example, expected to reach 100,000 by 2025, up from 5100 in 2008. This interview contains interviews with Saeed Khamis Al Zadjali, Acting CEO, Oman Airports Management Company; and Said bin Hamdoon Al Harthy, Undersecretary for Ports and Maritime Affairs, Ministry of Transport and Communications.

Vision 2020’s economic diversification mandate has seen Oman’s industrial segment expand rapidly in recent years, with the non-oil sector expanding by 7.6% in 2013. The strong growth being witnessed in the petrochemicals, aluminium, steel and mining segments is expected to continue with government investment in the industrial sector projected to reach $517.88m between 2014 and 2020. Sohar, with its host of new infrastructure and raw production projects completed in recent years, is set to become Oman’s dominant industrial hub. The petrochemicals segment is also poised for strong development with total investment reaching $16.59bn in 2013. Efforts to revitalise the mining segment hold great potential, as the introduction of new legislation aimed at increasing value-added and reducing raw exports is expected to provide a major boost to the sector. This chapter contains an interview with Hilal bin Hamad Al Hasani, CEO, Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE).

Oman’s real estate market has shown resilience following the global financial turmoil and is poised for future expansion as economic growth in the sultanate drives local demand. In 2013 the sector grew 6.1% over 2012 and forecasts indicate this trend will continue. Increasing numbers of integrated tourism complexes are attracting foreign investment into the sector, particularly the high-end market, while in a bid to support affordable housing ownership, the government is supporting programmes that provide interest-free loans to qualifying citizens and removing age restrictions for access to financing. This interview contains an interview with Hawazen Esber, CEO, The Wave, Muscat.

The construction sector is witnessing rapid expansion in Oman on the back of government investment in major infrastructure projects. The government has budgeted an estimated $77.68bn for development projects as part of the 2011-15 five-year plan, up 113% over the previous five-year plan, with the Oman National Railway Project comprising 45% of the total value of all current transportation construction projects. Meanwhile, new upstream and downstream investments in the oil and gas sector are presenting lucrative new opportunities for private contractors, while the building of the $1bn Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC) in Muscat will boost the sultanate’s offering in the MICE segment. This chapter contains an interview with Sheikh Salim bin Ahmed Al Ghazali, Chairman, Golden Group of Companies.